Ringed meter roller and slide cutoff system

ABSTRACT

A system includes an agricultural metering system with a meter roller configured to meter product from an agricultural product storage compartment to a product distribution system via rotation of the meter roller. The meter roller includes a first meter roller segment having a first plurality of flutes and corresponding recesses, and a second meter roller segment having a second plurality of flutes and a corresponding second plurality of recesses. The flutes of the first meter roller segment are axially separated from the flutes of the second meter roller segment by a gap. The meter roller also includes a dividing ring disposed about the shaft and axially positioned between the first meter roller segment and the second meter roller segment. A width of the dividing ring is substantially equal to the gap.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/932,597, entitled “RINGED METER ROLLERS AND SLIDE CUTOFF SYSTEM”,filed Nov. 4, 2015, which claims priority from and the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/075,198, entitled “RINGED METERROLLERS AND SLIDE CUTOFF SYSTEM”, filed Nov. 4, 2014. Each of theforegoing applications is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to agricultural implements, andmore specifically, to ringed meter rollers and a slide cutoff system.

A range of agricultural implements have been developed and are presentlyin use for tilling, planting, harvesting, and so forth. Seeders, forexample, are commonly towed behind tractors and may cover wide swaths ofground which may be tilled or untilled. Such devices typically open thesoil, dispense granular product in the soil opening, and re-close thesoil in a single operation. In agricultural implements such as seedersor spreaders, granular products are commonly dispensed from bulk producttanks and distributed to row units by a distribution system. In certainconfigurations, air carts are towed with the implements to deliver adesired flow of granular products to the row units.

Air carts generally include a seed storage tank, an air source (e.g., ablower) and a metering assembly. The granular products are typicallygravity fed from the storage tank to the metering assembly thatdistributes a desired volume of granular products into an air flowgenerated by the air source. The air flow then carries the granularproducts to the row units via conduits extending between the air cartand the agricultural implements. The metering assembly typicallyincludes meter rollers or other metering devices that regulate the flowof granular products based on meter roller geometry and rotation rate.However, some granular products differ in size or desired rate ofapplication, and, thus, different meter rollers may be used for thedifferent products. Replacing meter rollers may be time consuming andinconvenient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the originally claimedinvention are summarized below. These embodiments are not intended tolimit the scope of the claimed invention, but rather these embodimentsare intended only to provide a brief summary of possible forms of theinvention. Indeed, the invention may encompass a variety of forms thatmay be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below.

In a first embodiment, a system includes an agricultural metering systemwith a meter roller configured to meter product from an agriculturalproduct storage compartment to a product distribution system viarotation of the meter roller. The meter roller includes a first meterroller segment having a first plurality of flutes and a correspondingfirst plurality of recesses, a second meter roller segment having asecond plurality of flutes and a corresponding second plurality ofrecesses, and a shaft disposed through the first meter roller segmentand through the second meter roller segment, wherein the shaft isnon-rotatably coupled to the first meter roller segment and to thesecond meter roller segment, and the first plurality of flutes of thefirst meter roller segment is axially separated from the secondplurality of flutes of the second meter roller segment by a gap. Themeter roller also includes a dividing ring disposed about the shaft andaxially positioned between the first meter roller segment and the secondmeter roller segment. A width of the dividing ring is substantiallyequal to the gap.

In a second embodiment, a system includes an agricultural meteringsystem with a housing configured to receive product from an agriculturalproduct storage compartment and a dividing slat disposed within thehousing. The dividing slat is configured to divide a flow of the productinto a first portion and a second portion. The agricultural meteringsystem also has a meter roller disposed within the housing andconfigured to meter the product to a product distribution system viarotation of the meter roller. The meter roller includes a first meterroller segment having a first plurality of flutes and a correspondingfirst plurality of recesses, a second meter roller segment having asecond plurality of flutes and a corresponding second plurality ofrecesses, and a dividing ring disposed axially between the first meterroller segment and the second meter roller segment. The dividing ring isnon-rotatably coupled to the first meter roller segment and to thesecond meter roller segment, and the dividing ring is axially alignedwith the dividing slat to direct the first portion of the productthrough the first meter roller segment and to direct the second portionof the product through the second meter roller segment.

In a third embodiment, a system includes an agricultural metering systemwith a housing configured to receive product from an agriculturalproduct storage compartment via an opening in the housing, a slideconfigured to selectively block at least a portion of the opening, and ameter roller disposed within the housing and configured to meter theproduct to a product distribution system via rotation of the meterroller. The meter roller includes a first meter roller segment having afirst plurality of flutes and a corresponding first plurality ofrecesses, a second meter roller segment having a second plurality offlutes and a corresponding second plurality of recesses, and a dividingring disposed axially between the first meter roller segment and thesecond meter roller segment, wherein the dividing ring is non-rotatablycoupled to the first meter roller segment and to the second meter rollersegment, the dividing ring is configured to direct a first portion ofthe product through the first meter roller segment and a second portionof the product through the second meter roller segment, and the slide isconfigured to move at least between a first position that facilitatesflow of the first and second portions through the respective first andsecond meter roller segments, and a second position that blocks flow ofthe first portion through the first meter roller segment.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood when the following detaileddescription is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in whichlike characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an air cart, including a metering assemblyconfigured to regulate a flow of particulate material;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the metering assembly, as shown in FIG. 1,including a meter roller;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a meter roller that maybe used in the metering assembly shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of a meter roller that may beused in the system shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the metering assemblywith a slide in an open position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the metering assemblyof FIG. 5 with a slide in a partially open position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the metering assemblyof FIG. 5 with a slide in a closed position;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the metering assemblyof FIG. 5 with a slide in a partially open position;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the meteringassembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the meteringassembly of FIG. 5 having a curved slide; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the meter assembly ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the meter roller 28 as shownin FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a side view of an air cart 10that may be used in conjunction with a towable agricultural implement(e.g., seeder) to deposit agricultural products (e.g., seeds,fertilizer, or other particulate materials) into the soil. For example,certain agricultural implements include row units configured to open thesoil, dispense seeds into the soil opening, and re-close the soil in asingle operation. Such implements are generally coupled to a towvehicle, such as a tractor, and pulled through a field. In certainconfigurations, seeds are conveyed to the row units by the illustratedair cart 10, which is generally towed in sequence with the implement. Inalternative configurations, the air cart 10 may be configured to providefertilizer to the row units, or a combination of seeds and fertilizer.

In the illustrated embodiment, the air cart 10 includes a storage tank12, a frame 14, wheels 16, a metering assembly 18 and an air source 20.In certain configurations, the storage tank 12 includes multiplecompartments for storing various flowable particulate materials. Forexample, one compartment may include seeds, such as canola or mustard,and another compartment may include a dry fertilizer. In suchconfigurations, the air cart 10 is configured to deliver both the seedsand the fertilizer to the implement. The frame 14 includes a towinghitch configured to couple to the implement or tow vehicle. As discussedin detail below, seeds and/or fertilizer within the storage tank 12 areprovided (e.g., gravity fed into) the metering assembly 18. The meteringassembly 18 includes meter rollers that regulate the flow of materialfrom the storage tank 12 into an air flow provided by the air source 20.The air flow then carries the material to the implement by pneumaticconduits. In this manner, the row units receive a supply of seeds and/orfertilizer for deposition within the soil.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the metering assembly 18, as shown inFIG. 1. As illustrated, the air source 20 is coupled to a conduit 22configured to flow air 24 past the metering assembly 18. The air source20 may be a pump or blower powered by an electric or hydraulic motor,for example. Flowable particulate agricultural product 26 (e.g., seeds,fertilizer, etc.) within the storage tank 12 flows by gravity into themetering assembly 18. The metering assembly 18 includes one or moremeter rollers 28 configured to regulate the flow of agricultural product26 into the air flow 24. More particularly, the metering assembly 18 mayinclude multiple meter rollers 28 disposed adjacent to one another. Forexample, certain metering assemblies 18 include seven meter rollers 28.Such assemblies 18 are known as “7-run” metering assemblies. However,alternative embodiments may include more or fewer meter rollers 28,e.g., 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or more. Further embodiments may include onecontinuous meter roller 28.

Each meter roller 28 includes an interior cavity 30 configured toreceive a shaft that drives the meter roller 28. In the presentembodiment, the cavity 30 has a hexagonal cross section. However,alternative embodiments may include various other cavity configurations(e.g., triangular, square, keyed, splined, etc.). The shaft is coupledto a drive unit, such as an electric or hydraulic motor, configured torotate the meter rollers 28. Alternatively, the meter rollers 28 may becoupled to a wheel 16 by a gear assembly such that rotation of the wheel16 drives the meter rollers 28 to rotate. Such a configuration willautomatically vary the rotation rate of the meter rollers 28 based onthe speed of the air cart 10. In some embodiments, the meter rollers 28coupled to each storage tank 12 may be independently controlled (e.g.,may be operated at independent rotation rates).

Each meter roller 28 also includes multiple flutes 32 and recesses 34.The number and geometry of the flutes 32 are configured to accommodatethe agricultural product 26 being distributed. The illustratedembodiment includes six flutes 32 and a corresponding number of recesses34. Alternative embodiments may include more or fewer flutes 32 and/orrecesses 34. For example, the meter roller 28 may include 2, 4, 6, 8,10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, or more flutes 32 and/or recesses 34. Inaddition, a depth of the recesses 34 and/or a height of the flutes 32are configured to accommodate the agricultural product 26 within thestorage tank 12. For example, a meter roller 28 having deeper recesses34 and fewer flutes 32 may be employed for larger seeds, while a meterroller 28 having shallower recesses 34 and more flutes 32 may beemployed for smaller seeds. Other parameters such as flute pitch (i.e.,rotation relative to a longitudinal axis) and flute angle (i.e.,rotation relative to a radial axis) may also be varied in alternativeembodiments. For example, as described below with respect to FIG. 10,the flutes 32 may include angled, spiral, helical, or wavy flutes todistribute the product 26 at various rates and directions.

The rotation rate of the meter roller 28 controls the flow ofagricultural product 26 into the air stream 24. Specifically, as themeter roller 28 rotates, material is transferred through an opening 36in the metering assembly 18 into the conduit 22. The material then mixeswith air from the air source 20, thereby forming an air/material mixture38. The mixture then flows to the row units of the implement viapneumatic conduits, where the seeds and/or fertilizer are depositedwithin the soil. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, ifthe flow rate of material from the meter roller 28 is higher or lowerthan desired for a particular product, the rate of rotation of the meterroller 28 may be changed. In some situations, however, a change inrotation rate may not be enough to achieve the desired output ofagricultural product. In such situations, the meter roller 28 may bereplaced. However, as noted above, replacing meter rollers may be timeconsuming. Accordingly, as explained in detail below, presentembodiments may include the meter roller 28 having multiple segmentsand/or multiple divider rings. The meter roller 28 may be separated fromthe storage tank 12 by a slide, which is positioned over the meterroller 28 to enable selection of various segments of the meter roller 28to deliver the agricultural product 26 at a desired product flow rate.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the meter roller 28.The meter roller 28 may include a knob 40 configured to engage with themeter roller housing and support the end of the meter roller 28 to thedrive unit that is configured to drive rotation of the meter roller 28.As mentioned above, the meter roller 28 may be driven by an electric orhydraulic motor, or by connection with one of the wheels 16 of the aircart 10. The meter roller 28 includes three segments 42, 44, 46configured to deliver the agricultural product 26 to the conduit 22. Asillustrated, the first segment 42 includes small, shallow recesses 34and thus may be used when the agricultural product 26 includes smallseeds or fertilizer that is metered at a low flow rate. Each of thesecond segment 44 and third segment 46 have deeper and larger recesses34, and, thus, may be used for agricultural products 26 that are meteredat a higher rate.

The segments 42, 44, 46 of the meter roller 28 may be axially (e.g.,along an axial axis 47) divided by dividing rings 48, 50, 52, 54. In theillustrated embodiment, a first ring 48 and a second ring 50 define anaxial width 56 of the first segment 42 of the meter roller 28. Asmentioned above, the first segment 42 has shallow recesses 34, but mayalso include smaller axial width 56, which may be desirable for productsthat are metered at a low flow rate. The second segment 44 of the meterroller 28 is bordered by the second ring 50 and a third ring 52, whichdefine an axial width 58. Additionally, the third ring 52 and a fourthring 54 define an axial width 60 of the third segment 46 of the meterroller 28. The second axial width 58 and the third axial width 60 may bethe same, as illustrated, or may be different to enable various productflow rates.

As described in detail below, the metering assembly 18 may include aslide that aligns with the dividing rings 48, 50, 52, 54 to enableaccurate flow rate of the agricultural product 26. The meter roller 28may have a radius 68 measured from the axial axis 47 of the meter roller28. The radius 68 is the same for each of the dividing rings 48, 50, 52,54 (e.g., an outer surface of each dividing ring has the same radius68). A consistent outer radius 68 may facilitate alignment of the sliderelative to the dividing rings when the slide shifts from one dividingring to the next. Each dividing ring 48, 50, 52, 54 may also include aninner radius 70 that is sized to fit over a shaft 72. The shaft 72 isnon-rotatably coupled to the segments 42, 44, 46 and to the dividingrings 48, 50, 52, 54. The dividing rings 48, 50, 52, 54 are positionedaround the shaft 72 and fit between the segments 42, 44, 46 within a gap74 between each pair of adjacent segments (e.g., between the firstsegment 42 and the second segment 44, and between the second segment 44and the third segment 46). This ensures that the dividing rings 48, 50,52, 54 do not move relative to each other or relative to the rollersegments 42, 44, 46.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of the meter roller 28. FIG. 4also includes a cross-sectional end view for each of the segments 42,44, 46 of the meter roller 28. As illustrated, each segment 42, 44, 46includes a profile 62, 64, 66 (e.g., cross-sectional profile) whichdetermines the flow rate for a given speed of rotation of the meterroller 28. As with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the firstsegment 42 has a fine profile 62 for products using a fine or low flowrate. The fine profile 62 of the first segment 42 has small recesses 34defined by a small difference between the outer radius 68 and the innerradius 70. Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 4 the fine profile 62 ofthe first segment 42 may include a concave curved flute 32 that mayimprove flow for small particles of the product 26. The first segment 42may have a small width 56, as illustrated in FIG. 4 to meter the product26 at a fine flow rate.

The second segment 44 of the meter roller 28 may include a mediumprofile 64 and width 58 to facilitate a medium flow rate of the product26. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the medium profile 64 mayhave larger recesses 34 with a greater difference between the outerradius 68 and the inner radius 70. The second profile 64 may also haveangled flutes 32 and a convex surface 63 at the inner radius 70, ratherthan the concave curved flutes 32. The medium profile 64 thus supportsmore product 26 (e.g., as compared to the fine profile 62) within eachof the recesses 34 as the meter roller 28 rotates. The second segment 44may also have a slightly larger width 58 as compared to the width 56 ofthe first segment 42. In certain embodiments, the width 58 of the secondsegment 44 and the width 56 of the first segment 42 may be the same.

The third segment 46 of the meter roller 28 may include a profile 66 andwidth 60 for a coarse flow rate of the product 26. As illustrated, thecoarse profile 66 includes deep flutes 32 in which there is a relativelylarge difference between the inner radius 70 and the outer radius 68.The coarse profile 66 thus enables a higher flow rate than either themedium profile 64 or the fine profile 62. In some embodiments, thecoarse segment 44 may have a larger width 60 to further increase theamount of product 26 that is delivered. In other embodiments, the widthsof each of the segments 42, 44, 46, or any two of the segments 42, 44,46 may be the same.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the metering assembly18 with a slide 80 in an open position. A roller housing 82 supports themeter roller 28 and supports the slide 80 in a position over the meterroller 28. The slide 80 is translated within a slide track 84 of theroller housing 82, and a cutoff panel 86 restricts flow of the product26 from certain segments 42, 44, 46, and allows the product 26 to flowthrough other segments 42, 44, 46. The slide 80 may, as illustrated,include a groove panel 88 that includes grooves 90 that match with agroove wheel 92. As the groove wheel 92 rotates, the grooves 90 engagewith the groove wheel 92 and translate the groove panel 88 and the restof the slide 80 relative to the meter roller 28. In the illustratedembodiment, the cutoff panel 86 exposes a first hole 94 and a secondhole 96, which are separated by a divider 98. The divider 98 is part ofthe roller housing 82 and maintains a division between the first mediumhole 94 and the second medium hole 96. The first hole 94 is aligned withthe second segment 44, and the second hole 96 is aligned with the thirdsegment 46.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 5, the slide 80 is positioned atan open position 100, which is an open distance 102 from a distal end104 of the slide track 84. In the open position 100, each of the firsthole 94 (and the second segment 44) and the second hole 96 (and thethird segment 46) are exposed, while the fine segment 42 is covered(e.g., blocked). In the open position 100, the metering assembly 18enables the greatest amount of product 26 to flow through the rollerhousing 82. In some embodiments, the slide 80 may include an openposition that opens all three segments 42, 44, 46.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the metering assembly18 with the slide 80 in a partially open position 106. The partiallyopen position 106 exposes the second hole 96, while covering the firsthole 94. With the first hole 94 covered, the amount of product 26flowing through the metering assembly 18 is restricted. This may bedesirable for products 26 that are delivered with a fairly high flowrate, but not enough for both segments (e.g., 44 and 46). The slide 80is moved into the partially open position 106 when the groove wheel 92rotates to translate the groove panel 88 and the rest of the slide 80within the slide track 84. As explained below, the roller housing 82includes slats in addition to the dividing rings 48, 50, 52, 54 to blockflow of the product 26 between segments (e.g., 42, 44, 46). For example,in FIG. 6, the slide 80 covers the second hole 96 so that substantiallyall (e.g., greater than 95 percent, 96 percent, 97 percent, 98 percent,99 percent, or more) of the product 26 is blocked from passing from thethird segment 46 to the second segment 44.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the metering assembly18 with the slide 80 in a closed position 108. In the closed position108, each of the holes (e.g., first hole 94, second hole 96) is coveredby the cutoff panel 86 of the slide 80, blocking substantially all ofthe product 26 from passing to the meter roller 28. The open distance102 of the slide 80 at the closed position 108 may be greater than zero,as illustrated, when the slide 80 includes a fine segment hole 110. Ineach of the open position 100, partially closed position 106, and closedposition 108, the fine segment hole 110 is positioned over the slidetrack 84 and, thus, the product 26 is blocked from the segments 42, 44,46 of the meter roller 28.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the metering assembly18 with the slide 80 translated to the distal end 104 of the slide track84. The fine segment hole 110 is positioned over a third hole 112 in theroller housing 82, which is aligned with the first segment 42. Thus,when the slide 80 is translated fully to the distal end 104 of the slidetrack 84, product 26 may flow through to the first segment 42. As withthe other positions of the slide 80 within the slide track 84, rotationof the groove wheel 92 causes translation of the groove panel 88, andthus the whole of the slide 80. In certain embodiments, the fine segmenthole 110 may be covered by a second slide that opens independently ofthe slide 80. In such embodiments, the slide may only include threepositions (e.g., open 100, partially closed 106, and closed 108), andthe third hole 112 of the roller housing 82 would be unblocked byopening the second slide.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an embodiment of themetering assembly 18. The slide 80 is not illustrated, but in certainembodiments may be present as described above. The slide 80 translatesbetween positions located over a first dividing slat 120 and a seconddividing slat 122. The slats 120, 122 are held in place by the rollerhousing 82 and a connecting strip 124 that maintains the relativedistances between the slats 120, 122. The first dividing slat 120 ispositioned between the first hole 94 and the third hole 112 (and thusbetween the first segment 42 and the second segment 44). The seconddividing slat 122 is positioned between the first hole 94 and the secondhole 96 (and thus between the second segment 44 and the first segment46). Each dividing slat (e.g., 120, 122) is aligned with (e.g.,positioned adjacent to) a dividing ring (e.g., 48, 50, 52) and includesan interface (e.g., 126, 128, 130) that generally corresponds to a shapeof a corresponding dividing ring (e.g., 48, 50, 52). The first ring 48matches the first interface 126, the second ring 50 matches the secondinterface 128 of the first dividing slat 120, and the third ring 52matches the third interface 130 of the second dividing slat 122. Thisconfiguration blocks substantially all of the product 26 flowing in onesegment (e.g., first segment 42) from transferring to another segment(e.g., second segment 44), and vice versa.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the meter roller 28having a curved slide 140. The curved slide 140 is shaped tosubstantially match the meter roller 28 such that the outer radius 68 ofeach dividing ring (e.g., 48, 50, 52) fits flush against the curvedslide 140. Substantially match means that the tolerance between thecurved slide 140 and the dividing ring (e.g., 48, 50, 52) is less thanthe average radius of the product 26 that is passing through themetering assembly 18. The curved slide 140 may thus be used in lieu ofthe dividing slats (e.g., first dividing slat 120, second dividing slat122) and block substantially all of the product 26 from transferringfrom one segment (e.g., first segment 42) to a different segment (e.g.,second segment 44). As with the slide 80 in FIGS. 5-9, the curved slide140 translates relative to the axial axis 69 of the meter roller 28. Thecurved slide 140 may include a groove panel 88 that facilitatestranslation of the curved slide 140. In other embodiments, the curvedslide 140 may be translated by hand, or by other mechanical orelectronic translators. Additionally, in other embodiments, the curvedslide 140 may translate in a rotational direction about the axial axis69 of the meter roller 28.

FIG. 10 also illustrates an alternative configuration of the flutes 32of the meter roller 28. As illustrated, the meter roller 28 may includethe straight flutes 32 (e.g., extending along a radial axis) of themeter roller 28 but may also include angled flutes 142 (e.g., angledwith respect to the radial axis) that urge the product 26 toward onedividing ring (e.g., 48, 50, 52, 54) or another. In many embodiments,the meter roller 28 includes one type of either straight flutes 32, orangled flutes 142. Some embodiments, however, may include both. Theangled flutes 142 may be curved to form a spiral along the length of themeter roller 28, or may also have a wavy pattern along the length todirect the product 26 in a desired manner. In the illustratedembodiment, if the meter roller 28 rotates in a counter-clockwisedirection 144, the angled flutes 142 in the coarse segment 44, 46 urgethe product 26 toward the dividing rings on the right-hand side of thesegment. That is, product 26 in the second segment 44 is urged towardthe third dividing ring 52, and product 26 in the third segment 44 isurged toward the fourth dividing ring 54. On the other hand, theillustrated embodiment of the first segment 42 includes angled flutes142 that urge the product in the other direction toward the firstdividing ring 48.

FIG. 11 is a top view of an embodiment of the metering assembly 18having multiple meter rollers 28 within a sleeve assembly 150. In theillustrated embodiment, meter rollers 28 are disposed within meterroller sleeves 152. The meter roller sleeves 152 are cup shaped orcylindrical, and are configured to surround at least a portion the meterrollers 28. In certain embodiments, the meter roller sleeves 152 may beconfigured to circumferentially surround an entire meter roller 28. Asdiscussed in detail below, the meter roller sleeves 152 may assist incontrolling the flow rate of product from the meter rollers 28.Furthermore, a sleeve adjustment bar 154 is coupled to each of the meterroller sleeves 152 via respective sleeve adjustment assemblies 158.

In addition, bar adaptors 156 are coupled to each end of the sleeveadjustment bar 154. The sleeve adjustment bar 154 and/or the baradaptors 156 may be adjusted to cause the sleeves 152 to expose one ormore of the segments (e.g., 42, 44, 46) of its respective meter roller28. The meter roller sleeves 152 in combination with the varioussegments (e.g., 42, 44, 46) of each meter roller 28 may enable themetering assembly 18 to meter a variety of products with a single meterroller configuration (e.g., without replacing the meter rollers 28), asexplained above. By combining multiple sleeves 152 to a single sleeveadjustment bar 154, an operator may quickly adjust all the meter rollers28 to operate using the same segment or segments (e.g., first segment 42for canola).

In addition to controlling the collective group of meter roller sleeves152, individual meter roller sleeves 152 may be independently adjustedto deliver more or less product to various locations from the air cart10. For example, the sleeve adjustment assembly 158 of a particularmeter roller sleeve 152 may be adjusted to cause the meter roller sleeve152 to block various segments (e.g., 42, 44, 46) of the meter roller 28.Each sleeve 152 is independently adjusted to line up with the dividingring of the designated segment (e.g., dividing ring 50 for first segment42). Specifically, each meter roller sleeve 152 may be independentlyadjusted, for example, by rotating the meter roller sleeve 152 about athreaded rod of the sleeve adjustment assembly 158, thereby extending orretracting the sleeve 152. Alternatively, each meter roller sleeve 152may be independently adjusted by rotating an adjustment bolt of thesleeve adjustment assembly 158. Such fine tuning may be used to adjustproduct flow rate to particular groups of row units, therebycompensating for variations in the number of row units per group orvariations in desired product application rates across the field, forexample.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the meter roller 28. Themeter roller 28 includes the driven shaft 72 and a fluted portion 170.The fluted portion 170 of the meter roller 28 includes flutes 32,recesses 34, and/or interlocking protrusions 172 (e.g., interlockingaxial protrusions). The fluted portion 170 includes a cavity 174 forreceiving and coupling to the driven shaft 72. The fluted portion 170may non-rotatably couple to the driven shaft 72 via engagement ofgrooves 176 (e.g., radially inward protrusions) of the fluted portion170 with chamfers 178 (e.g., radially inward recesses) of the drivenshaft 72. As shown in FIG. 12, the driven shaft 72 is separated bymultiple rings 180. Each ring 180 may interlock with a correspondinginterlocking segment 172 (e.g., via a cutout configured to conform tothe interlocking segments 172) to form the segments (42, 44, 46) of themeter roller 28. The segments (e.g., 42, 44, 46) may be selected (e.g.,exposed as set forth above. For instance, seeds may only be deposited inone, two, or all three roller segments (42, 44, 46) depending on aposition of the slide 80. As such, there is segmentation of the meterroller 28 so that the meter roller can accommodate a wide range ofproducts and application rates. While the meter roller 28 in FIG. 12 hasthree rings 180, the meter roller may include no ring or additionalrings in alternative embodiments. In some embodiments, the rings 180 anddriven shaft 72 may be formed from one piece of molded plastic. Thefluted portion 170 may be an overmold that is molded over the drivenshaft 72. The fluted portion 170 may be mechanically bonded and/orchemically bonded to the driven shaft 72. The grooves 176 and chamfers178 may non-rotatably couple the fluted portion 170 and the driven shaft72. In an alternate embodiment, the rings 180, and the segments (e.g.,42, 44, 46) may be separate parts that may be coupled to one another.Additionally, in an alternate embodiment of the fluted portion 170, theflutes, recesses, and/or ring segments may be separate parts.

While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed herein, many modifications and changes will occur to thoseskilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appendedclaims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fallwithin the true spirit of the invention.

1. An agricultural metering system, comprising: a housing configured toreceive product from an agricultural product storage compartment via anopening in the housing; a slide configured to selectively block at leastpart of the opening; and a meter roller disposed within the housing andconfigured to meter the product to a product distribution system viarotation of the meter roller, wherein the meter roller comprises: afirst meter roller segment having a first plurality of flutes and acorresponding first plurality of recesses; a second meter roller segmenthaving a second plurality of flutes and a corresponding second pluralityof recesses; and a dividing ring disposed axially between the firstmeter roller segment and the second meter roller segment, wherein thedividing ring is non-rotatably coupled to the first meter roller segmentand to the second meter roller segment, the dividing ring is configuredto direct a first portion of the product through the first meter rollersegment and a second portion of the product through the second meterroller segment, and the slide is configured to move at least between afirst position that facilitates flow of the first and second portionsthrough the respective first and second meter roller segments, and asecond position that blocks flow of the first portion through the firstmeter roller segment.
 2. The agricultural metering system of claim 1,wherein the slide is curved to substantially match an outer diameter ofthe dividing ring.
 3. The agricultural metering system of claim 2,wherein the slide is configured to translate axially.
 4. Theagricultural metering system of claim 1, wherein the slide issubstantially flat.
 5. The agricultural metering system of claim 1,wherein the first meter roller segment comprises a first profile, thesecond meter roller segment comprises a second profile, and the firstprofile is different from the second profile.
 6. The agriculturalmetering system of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of flutes of thefirst meter roller segment is axially separated from the secondplurality of flutes of the second meter roller segment by a gap.
 7. Theagricultural metering system of claim 6, wherein a width of the dividingring is substantially equal to a width of the gap.
 8. The agriculturalmetering system of claim 1, comprising a shaft disposed through thefirst meter roller segment and through the second meter roller segment,wherein the shaft is non-rotatably coupled to the first meter rollersegment and to the second meter roller segment.
 9. The agriculturalmetering system of claim 8, wherein the first meter roller segment, thesecond meter roller segment, or a combination thereof, comprises atleast one radially inward protrusion configured to engage a radiallyinward recess of the shaft.
 10. An agricultural metering system,comprising: a housing configured to receive product from an agriculturalproduct storage compartment via an opening in the housing; a slideconfigured to selectively block at least part of the opening; a dividingslat disposed within the housing, wherein the dividing slat isconfigured to divide flow of the product into a first portion and asecond portion; and a meter roller disposed within the housing andconfigured to meter the product to a product distribution system viarotation of the meter roller, wherein the meter roller comprises: afirst meter roller segment having a first plurality of flutes and acorresponding first plurality of recesses; a second meter roller segmenthaving a second plurality of flutes and a corresponding second pluralityof recesses; and a dividing ring disposed axially between the firstmeter roller segment and the second meter roller segment, wherein thedividing ring is non-rotatably coupled to the first meter roller segmentand to the second meter roller segment, the dividing ring is axiallyaligned with the dividing slat to direct the first portion of theproduct through the first meter roller segment and to direct the secondportion of the product through the second meter roller segment, and theslide is configured to move at least between a first position thatfacilitates flow of the first and second portions through the respectivefirst and second meter roller segments, and a second position thatblocks flow of the first portion through the first meter roller segment.11. The agricultural metering system of claim 10, wherein a spacingbetween the dividing slat and the dividing ring is less than an averagediameter of a particle of the product.
 12. The agricultural meteringsystem of claim 10, wherein the first meter roller segment comprises afirst profile, the second meter roller segment comprises a secondprofile, and the first profile is different from the second profile. 13.The agricultural metering system of claim 10, wherein the firstplurality of flutes of the first meter roller segment is axiallyseparated from the second plurality of flutes of the second meter rollersegment by a gap.
 14. The agricultural metering system of claim 13,wherein a width of the dividing ring is substantially equal to a widthof the gap.
 15. The agricultural metering system of claim 10, whereinthe slide is curved to substantially match an outer diameter of thedividing ring.
 16. An agricultural metering system, comprising: ahousing configured to receive product from an agricultural productstorage compartment via an opening in the housing; a slide configured toselectively block at least part of the opening; and a meter rollerdisposed within the housing and configured to meter the product to aproduct distribution system via rotation of the meter roller, whereinthe meter roller comprises: a first meter roller segment having a firstplurality of flutes and a corresponding first plurality of recesses; asecond meter roller segment having a second plurality of flutes and acorresponding second plurality of recesses; and a dividing ring disposedaxially between the first meter roller segment and the second meterroller segment, wherein the dividing ring is configured to direct afirst portion of the product through the first meter roller segment anda second portion of the product through the second meter roller segment,the dividing ring is configured to substantially block the first portionof the product from passing from the first meter roller segment to thesecond meter roller segment, the dividing ring is configured tosubstantially block the second portion of the product from passing fromthe second meter roller segment to the first meter roller segment, andthe slide is configured to move at least between a first position thatfacilitates flow of the first and second portions through the respectivefirst and second meter roller segments, and a second position thatblocks flow of the first portion through the first meter roller segment.17. The agricultural metering system of claim 16, wherein an outercircumference of the dividing ring is substantially circular.
 18. Theagricultural metering system of claim 16, comprising a dividing slatdisposed within the housing, wherein the dividing slat is configured todivide flow of the product into the first portion and the secondportion.
 19. The agricultural metering system of claim 16, wherein thefirst meter roller segment comprises a first profile, the second meterroller segment comprises a second profile, and the first profile isdifferent from the second profile.
 20. The agricultural metering systemof claim 16, wherein the slide is substantially flat.